The Winter’s Tale, Act 3, Scene 2, 90-115
Arden 3 | John Pitcher, ed. London: Bloomsbury, 2010. pp.226-229
@1611
Sir, spare your threats…
(25 lines)
Sir, spare your threats…
Arden 3 | 2010
Speech
Words + Pronunciation
Translation
Assonance
Alliteration
Consonance
Thoughts
Thought Count
Rhythm
Pacing
Beats
Rhetoric
Full Scene
Given Circumstances
Speech
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Words + Pronunciation
Arden 3 | 2010
spare
bug
fright
commodity
crown
comfort
favour,
first-fruits
barr’d
starr’d
unluckily
breast,
innocent
haled
post
strumpet
immodest
hatred
child-bed
open air
strength of limit
liege
blessings
fear
prize
not a straw
free
surmises
all proofs sleeping
rigor
Oracle
Apollo
Pronunciation+
To come
Translation
No Fear Shakespeare
HERMIONE
Sir, save your threats. I’d seek out the terrible punishment you threaten me with. Life has no value for me now. Having your favor was my highest goal and my comfort, and I give it up as lost now, though I don’t know how. My second joy in life, my first son, is kept from me as though I have a disease. My third comfort, that unlucky child with the innocent milk still in its innocent mouth, has been taken from my breast and dragged out to be murdered. I’ve been publicly declared a whore, with outrageous hatred denied the rest after childbirth that all women of my rank deserve, and hurried here into the open air before I’ve regained my strength. Now, my lord, tell me what I have to live for, and why I should fear death. Go ahead. But listen to what I say, which I say not for the sake of my life but for my honor: if I am condemned on mere guesses and your jealousy without any proof, it is merely severity and not justice. Your honors, I commend myself to the oracle, and let Apollo be my judge!
Assonance
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Alliteration
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Consonance
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
———————–1. Sir, spare your threats.
2. The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
3. To me can life be no commodity;
3b. The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. 4. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. 5. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; 5b. myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; 5c. with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; 5d. lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. 6. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. 7. Therefore proceed.
8. But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. 9. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
10. Apollo be my judge.
Thought Count
Arden 3 | 2010
Short: 5 | 8
Medium: 3 | 5
Long: 2 | 1
Total: 10 | 14
Complex: 2 | 2,4
End-stopped: 4 | 5
Mid-line: 6 | 9
Periods: 10
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0
Rhythm
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
———————–Sir, spare your threats. (4; shared)
The bug which you would fright me with, I seek. [90](10R)
To me can life be no commodity; (10R)
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, (11w)
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, (10R)
But know not how it went. My second joy, (10R | 10)
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence [95](11w)
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort (12w | 13w)
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast, (10R | 10)
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth, (12 | 10R)
Haled out to murder; myself on every post (11 | 12)
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100](11w)
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs (10R)
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried (11w)
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before (10)
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege, (10R)
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105](10)
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed. (10 | 10R)
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life, (10R)
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, (11w)
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned (10R | 10)
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110](10 | 10R)
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you (11w | 11)
‘Tis rigor, and not law. Your honours all, (10 | 10R)
I do refer me to the oracle. (10R)
Apollo be my judge. (6, shared)
Pacing
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, ^ spare your threats. pause?
The bug ^ which you would fright me with ^ I seek. [90] pause?
To me ^ can life ^ be no commodity;
The crown ^ and comfort ^ of my life, ^ your favour,
I do give lost; ^ for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. ^ My second joy,
And first-fruits ^ of my body, ^ from his presence [95] →
I am barr’d, ^ like one infectious. ^ My third comfort →*
Starr’d most unluckily, ^ is ^ from my breast,
The innocent milk ^ in it most ^ innocent mouth,
Haled out ^ to murder; ^ myself ^ on every post →
Proclaimed ^ a strumpet; ^ with immodest ^ hatred [100] →
The child-bed privilege denied, ^ which ‘longs →
To women of all fashion; ^ lastly, hurried →
Here, ^ to this place, ^ i’ th’ open air, ^ before →
I have got strength of limit. ^ Now, ^ my liege,
Tell me ^ what blessings ^ I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. ^ Therefore ^ proceed. pause?
But yet hear this – ^ mistake me not ^ – no life,
I prize it not a straw, ^ but for mine honour,
Which I would free ^ – if I shall be condemn’d →
Upon surmises, ^ all proofs sleeping else [110] →*
But what your jealousies awake, ^ I tell you →*
‘Tis rigor, ^ and not law. ^ Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle. pause?
Apollo ^ be my judge.———— pause?
Beats
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
————————Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. [90]
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. // My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence [95]
I am barred, like one infectious. // My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred [100]
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. // Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, [105]
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else [110]
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Rhetoric
Arden 3 | 2010
imagery
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost;
My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder;
myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet;
lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake,
metaphor
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost;
My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body,
simile
from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious.
plain comparison
no life,
I prize it not a straw,
‘Tis rigor and not law.
juxtaposition
no life,
I prize it not a straw,
antithesis
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went.
Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die!
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–
if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake,
‘Tis rigor and not law.
contradiction/paradox
personification
Haled out to murder;
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
but for mine honour,
Which I would free–
all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake,
this and that
The crown and comfort of my life,
My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body,
‘Tis rigor and not law.
this, that, and another thing
enumerations
1) The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. 2) My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. 3) My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; 4 )myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; 5) with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; 6) lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit.
repetitions of words or phrases
comfort (2x)
innocent (2x)
honour/honours (2x)
parenthesis
My third comfort
(Starr’d most unluckily), is from my breast,
(The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth),
Haled out to murder;
lastly, hurried
Here to this place, (i’ th’ open air), before
I have got strength of limit.
But yet hear this (–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–) if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, (all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake), I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law.
irony
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
puns and other wordplay
onomatopoeia
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
Scene
Arden 3 | 2010
3.2
Enter Leontes, Lords and Officers.
LEONTES
This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce,
Even pushes ’gainst our heart; the party tried,
The daughter of a king, our wife, and one
Of us too much beloved. Let us be cleared
5Of being tyrannous, since we so openly
Proceed in justice, which shall have due course
Even to the guilt or the purgation.
Produce the prisoner.
OFFICER
It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen
10Appear in person here in court.
[ Enter Hermione as a prisoner, with Paulina and Ladies. ]
10Silence .
LEONTES
Read the indictment.
OFFICER
[Reads.]Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes,
King of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of
high treason in committing adultery with Polixenes, King
15of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away
the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband;
the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid
open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance
of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them for their better
20safety to fly away by night.
HERMIONE
Since what I am to say must be but that
Which contradicts my accusation, and
The testimony on my part no other
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me
25To say ‘Not guilty’. Mine integrity
Being counted falsehood shall, as I express it,
Be so received. But thus: if powers divine
Behold our human actions – as they do –
I doubt not then but innocence shall make
30False accusation blush and tyranny
Tremble at patience . You, my lord, best know,
Whom least will seem to do so, my past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true
As I am now unhappy; which is more
35Than history can pattern, though devised
And played to take spectators. For behold me,
A fellow of the royal bed, which owe
A moiety of the throne; a great king’s daughter,
The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing
40To prate and talk for life and honour, ’fore
Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it
As I weigh grief, which I would spare. For honour,
’Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
45To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes
Came to your court how I was in your grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strained t’appear thus. If one jot beyond
50The bound of honour, or in act, or will
That way inclining, hardened be the hearts
Of all that hear me, and my nearest of kin
Cry fie upon my grave.
LEONTES
I ne’er heard yet
That any of these bolder vices wanted
55Less impudence to gainsay what they did
Than to perform it first.
HERMIONE
That’s true enough,
Though ’tis a saying, sir, not due to me.
LEONTES
You will not own it.
HERMIONE
More than mistress of
Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not
60At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,
With whom I am accused, I do confess
I loved him as in honour he required;
With such a kind of love as might become
A lady like me; with a love, even such,
65So, and no other, as yourself commanded;
Which not to have done, I think, had been in me
Both disobedience and ingratitude
To you and toward your friend, whose love had spoke
Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely
70That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,
I know not how it tastes, though it be dished
For me to try how. All I know of it
Is that Camillo was an honest man;
And why he left your court the gods themselves,
75Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.
LEONTES
You knew of his departure, as you know
What you have underta’en to do in’s absence.
HERMIONE
Sir,
You speak a language that I understand not.
My life stands in the level of your dreams,
80Which I’ll lay down.
LEONTES
80Your actions are my dreams.
You had a bastard by Polixenes,
And I but dreamed it. As you were past all shame –
Those of your fact are so – so past all truth;
Which to deny concerns more than avails; for as
85Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself,
No father owning it – which is indeed
More criminal in thee than it – so thou
Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage
Look for no less than death.
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
90The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
95And first fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
100Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The childbed privilege denied, which ’longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit . Now, my liege,
105Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
110Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
’Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
LORD
This your request
115Is altogether just. Therefore bring forth,
And in Apollo’s name, his oracle.
[Exeunt certain Officers.]
HERMIONE
The Emperor of Russia was my father.
O that he were alive, and here beholding
His daughter’s trial; that he did but see
120The flatness of my misery; yet with eyes
Of pity, not revenge.
[Enter Officers with Cleomenes and Dion.]
OFFICER
You here shall swear upon this sword of justice,
That you, Cleomenes and Dion, have
Been both at Delphos, and from thence have brought
125This sealed-up oracle, by the hand delivered
Of great Apollo’s priest; and that since then
You have not dared to break the holy seal,
Nor read the secrets in’t.
CLEOMENES, DION
All this we swear.
LEONTES
Break up the seals and read.
OFFICER
130[Reads.]Hermione is chaste, Polixenes blameless,
Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his
innocent babe truly begotten, and the king shall live
without an heir if that which is lost be not found.
LORDS
Now blessed be the great Apollo!
HERMIONE
Praised!
LEONTES
135Hast thou read truth?
OFFICER
135Ay, my lord, even so
As it is here set down.
LEONTES
There is no truth at all i’th’ oracle.
The sessions shall proceed – this is mere falsehood.
[Enter a Servant.]
SERVANT
My lord the king! The king!
LEONTES
What is the business?
SERVANT
140O sir, I shall be hated to report it.
The prince your son, with mere conceit and fear
Of the queen’s speed, is gone.
LEONTES
How, ‘gone’?
SERVANT
Is dead.
LEONTES
Apollo’s angry, and the heavens themselves
Do strike at my injustice. [ Hermione faints.]
How now there?
PAULINA
145This news is mortal to the queen. Look down
And see what death is doing.
LEONTES
Take her hence.
Her heart is but o’ercharged. She will recover.
I have too much believed mine own suspicion.
Beseech you, tenderly apply to her
150Some remedies for life.
[ Exeunt Paulina and Ladies, carrying Hermione, and Servant.]
150Apollo, pardon
My great profaneness ’gainst thine oracle.
I’ll reconcile me to Polixenes,
New woo my queen, recall the good Camillo,
Whom I proclaim a man of truth, of mercy;
155For being transported by my jealousies
To bloody thoughts and to revenge,
I chose Camillo for the minister to poison
My friend Polixenes, which had been done,
But that the good mind of Camillo tardied
160My swift command. Though I with death and with
Reward did threaten and encourage him,
Not doing it and being done, he, most humane
And filled with honour, to my kingly guest
Unclasped my practice, quit his fortunes here –
165Which you knew great – and to the certain hazard
Of all incertainties himself commended,
No richer than his honour. How he glisters
Through my rust! And how his piety
Does my deeds make the blacker!
[ Enter Paulina. ]
PAULINA
Woe the while!
170O cut my lace, lest my heart, cracking it,
Break too.
LORD
What fit is this, good lady?
PAULINA
What studied torments, tyrant, hast for me?
What wheels, racks, fires? What flaying, boiling
In leads or oils? What old or newer torture
175Must I receive, whose every word deserves
To taste of thy most worst? Thy tyranny,
Together working with thy jealousies –
Fancies too weak for boys, too green and idle
For girls of nine – O think what they have done,
180And then run mad indeed, stark mad, for all
Thy bygone fooleries were but spices of it.
That thou betrayed’st Polixenes, ‘twas nothing;
That did but show thee, of a fool, inconstant,
And damnable ingrateful. Nor was’t much
185Thou wouldst have poisoned good Camillo’s honour,
To have him kill a king – poor trespasses,
More monstrous standing by; whereof I reckon
The casting forth to crows thy baby daughter
To be or none or little, though a devil
190Would have shed water out of fire ere done’t.
Nor is’t directly laid to thee the death
Of the young prince, whose honourable thoughts –
Thoughts high for one so tender – cleft the heart
That could conceive a gross and foolish sire
195Blemished his gracious dam. This is not, no,
Laid to thy answer. But the last – O lords,
When I have said, cry woe! The queen, the queen,
The sweetest, dearest creature’s dead, and vengeance for’t
Not dropped down yet.
LORD
The higher powers forbid!
PAULINA
200I say she’s dead – I’ll swear’t. If word nor oath
Prevail not, go and see. If you can bring
Tincture or lustre in her lip, her eye,
Heat outwardly or breath within, I’ll serve you
As I would do the gods. But O thou tyrant,
205Do not repent these things, for they are heavier
Than all thy woes can stir. Therefore betake thee
To nothing but despair. A thousand knees,
Ten thousand years together, naked, fasting,
Upon a barren mountain, and still winter
210In storm perpetual, could not move the gods
To look that way thou wert.
LEONTES
Go on, go on.
Thou canst not speak too much. I have deserved
All tongues to talk their bitterest.
LORD
[to Paulina ]
Say no more;
Howe’er the business goes, you have made fault
215I ‘th’ boldness of your speech.
PAULINA
215I am sorry for’t.
All faults I make, when I shall come to know them,
I do repent. Alas, I have showed too much
The rashness of a woman. He is touched
To th’ noble heart. What’s gone and what’s past help
220Should be past grief. [to Leontes ] Do not receive affliction
At my petition; I beseech you, rather
Let me be punished, that have minded you
Of what you should forget. Now, good my liege,
Sir, royal sir, forgive a foolish woman.
225The love I bore your queen – lo, fool again!
I’ll speak of her no more, nor of your children.
I’ll not remember you of my own lord,
Who is lost too. Take your patience to you,
And I’ll say nothing.
LEONTES
Thou didst speak but well
230When most the truth, which I receive much better
Than to be pitied of thee. Prithee bring me
To the dead bodies of my queen and son.
One grave shall be for both. Upon them shall
The causes of their death appear, unto
235Our shame perpetual. Once a day I’ll visit
The chapel where they lie, and tears shed there
Shall be my recreation. So long as nature
Will bear up with this exercise, so long
I daily vow to use it. Come, and lead me
240To these sorrows.
Exeunt.
Source
Arden | J.H.P. Pafford. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Thought Counts
Arden | 1963
Short: 2
Medium: 4
Long: 2
Total: 8
End-stopped: 2
Mid-line: 6
Periods: 6
Exclamations: 1
Questions: 1
Unfinished: 0
Thoughts
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
1. Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
2. To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. 3. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. 4. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. 5. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? 6. Therefore proceed.
7. But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. 8. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Line Analysis
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats: 4
The bug which you would fright me with, I seek. 10R
To me can life be no commodity: 10R
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, 11w
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, 10R
But know not how it went. My second joy, 10R
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence 11w
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort 12w | 13w
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast, 10R | 10
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, 12 | 10R
Haled out to murder: myself on every post 11
Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred 11w
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs 10R
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried 11w
Here to this place, i’ the open air, before 11 | 10
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege, 10R | 11
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 10
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed. 10 | 10R
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life, 10R
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, 11w
Which I would free: if I shall be condemn’d 10R | 10
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 10 | 10R
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you 11w
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all, 10R
I do refer me to the Oracle: 10R
Apollo be my judge! 6
Phrasing and Tempo
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats: | slowly
The bug which you would fright me with <c> I seek. pause slowly
To me can life be no commodity: slowly |
The crown and comfort of my life, <c> your favour,
I do give lost; <c> for I do feel it gone, slowly
But know not how it went. <c, quickly> My second joy, slowly |
And first-fruits of my body, <c> from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. <c, quickly> My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, <c> is from my breast, | slowly carefully
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, carefully
Haled out to murder: <c> myself on every post carefully
Proclaim’d a strumpet: <c> with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, <c> which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; <c> lastly, hurried
Here, <c> to this place, <c> i’ the open air, <c> before
I have got strength of limit. <c, quickly> Now, my liege, | slowly
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? <c, quickly> Therefore proceed. pause slowly |
But yet hear this: <c> mistake me not; <c> no life, slowly | | slowly
I prize it not a straw, <c> but for mine honour, slowly |
Which I would free, <c> if I shall be condemn’d slowly |
Upon surmises, <c> all proofs sleeping else carefully
But what your jealousies awake, <c> I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. <c, quickly> Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Sounds
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Rhetoric
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. (metaphor, imagery)
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, [your favour,] (metaphor, list, this and that, imagery)
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, (antithesis)
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence (metaphor)
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort (simile, imagery)
[Starr’d most unluckily], is from my breast, (imagery)
[The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,] (imagery)
Haled out to murder: myself on every post (imagery, personification)
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried (imagery)
Here, [to this place, i’ the open air,] before
I have got strength of limit. Now, [my liege,]
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, (imagery, antithesis)
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
[I prize it not a straw,] but for mine honour, (comparison)
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else (personification)
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you (personification)
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all, (this and that)
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Before and After
Arden | 1963
SCENE II. A court of Justice.
Enter LEONTES, Lords, and Officers
LEONTES
This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce,
Even pushes ‘gainst our heart: the party tried
The daughter of a king, our wife, and one
Of us too much beloved. Let us be clear’d
Of being tyrannous, since we so openly
Proceed in justice, which shall have due course,
Even to the guilt or the purgation.
Produce the prisoner.
Officer
It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen
Appear in person here in court. Silence!
Enter HERMIONE guarded; PAULINA and Ladies attending
LEONTES
Read the indictment.
Officer
[Reads] Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night.
HERMIONE
Since what I am to say must be but that
Which contradicts my accusation and
The testimony on my part no other
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me
To say ‘not guilty:’ mine integrity
Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,
Be so received. But thus: if powers divine
Behold our human actions, as they do,
I doubt not then but innocence shall make
False accusation blush and tyranny
Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,
Who least will seem to do so, my past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy; which is more
Than history can pattern, though devised
And play’d to take spectators. For behold me
A fellow of the royal bed, which owe
A moiety of the throne a great king’s daughter,
The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing
To prate and talk for life and honour ‘fore
Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it
As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour,
‘Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes
Came to your court, how I was in your grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strain’d to appear thus: if one jot beyond
The bound of honour, or in act or will
That way inclining, harden’d be the hearts
Of all that hear me, and my near’st of kin
Cry fie upon my grave!
LEONTES
I ne’er heard yet
That any of these bolder vices wanted
Less impudence to gainsay what they did
Than to perform it first.
HERMIONE
That’s true enough;
Through ’tis a saying, sir, not due to me.
LEONTES
You will not own it.
HERMIONE
More than mistress of
Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not
At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,
With whom I am accused, I do confess
I loved him as in honour he required,
With such a kind of love as might become
A lady like me, with a love even such,
So and no other, as yourself commanded:
Which not to have done I think had been in me
Both disobedience and ingratitude
To you and toward your friend, whose love had spoke,
Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely
That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,
I know not how it tastes; though it be dish’d
For me to try how: all I know of it
Is that Camillo was an honest man;
And why he left your court, the gods themselves,
Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.
LEONTES
You knew of his departure, as you know
What you have underta’en to do in’s absence.
HERMIONE
Sir,
You speak a language that I understand not:
My life stands in the level of your dreams,
Which I’ll lay down.
LEONTES
Your actions are my dreams;
You had a bastard by Polixenes,
And I but dream’d it. As you were past all shame,–
Those of your fact are so–so past all truth:
Which to deny concerns more than avails; for as
Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself,
No father owning it,–which is, indeed,
More criminal in thee than it,–so thou
Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage
Look for no less than death.
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with, I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
(Starr’d most unluckily) is from my breast
(The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth)
Hal’d out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet, with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free: if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
First Lord
This your request
Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,
And in Apollos name, his oracle.
Exeunt certain Officers
HERMIONE
The Emperor of Russia was my father:
O that he were alive, and here beholding
His daughter’s trial! that he did but see
The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes
Of pity, not revenge!
Re-enter Officers, with CLEOMENES and DION
Definitions
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Translation
Arden | 1963
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
Source
Oxford | Orgel, Stephen. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Thought Counts
Oxford | 1996
Short: 5
Medium: 3
Long: 2
Total: 10
End-stopped: 4
Mid-line: 6
Periods: 9
Exclamations: 1
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0
Journey
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went.
My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious.
My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit.
Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek. 90
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence 95
I am barred, like one infectious. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred 100
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 105
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 110
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Given Circumstances
Arden 3 | 2010
Place: the Royal Court of Bohemia
Time: Day, noon?
Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
1. Sir, spare your threats.
2. The bug which you would fright me with I seek. 90
3. To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went. 4. My second joy,
And first fruits of my body, from his presence 95
I am barred, like one infectious. 5. My third comfort,
Starred most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred 100
The childbed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. 6. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 105
That I should fear to die. 7. Therefore proceed.
8. But yet hear this – mistake me not – no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free – if I shall be condemned
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 110
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigour, and not law. 9. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle.
10. Apollo be my judge.
Line Analysis
Arden 3 | 2010
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats. 4
The bug which you would fright me with, I seek. 10R
To me can life be no commodity; 10R
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour, 11w
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone, 10R
But know not how it went. My second joy, 10R
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence 11w
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort 12w | 13w
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast, 10R | 10
The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth, 12 | 10R
Haled out to murder; myself on every post 11
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred 11w
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs 10R
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried 11w
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before 10
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege, 10R
Tell me what blessings I have here alive, 10
That I should fear to die. Therefore proceed. 10 | 10R
But yet hear this: mistake me not–no life, 10R
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour, 11w
Which I would free–if I shall be condemned 10R | 10
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else 10 | 10R
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you 11w
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all, 10R
I do refer me to the Oracle. 10R
Apollo be my judge. 6
Phrasing and Tempo
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Alliteration
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
Assonance & Rhyme
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge.
Consonance & Onomatopoeia
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
Rhetoric
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
Before and After
Oxford | 1996
SCENE II. A court of Justice.
Enter LEONTES, Lords, and Officers
LEONTES
This sessions, to our great grief we pronounce,
Even pushes ‘gainst our heart: the party tried
The daughter of a king, our wife, and one
Of us too much beloved. Let us be clear’d
Of being tyrannous, since we so openly
Proceed in justice, which shall have due course,
Even to the guilt or the purgation.
Produce the prisoner.
Officer
It is his highness’ pleasure that the queen
Appear in person here in court. Silence!
Enter HERMIONE guarded; PAULINA and Ladies attending
LEONTES
Read the indictment.
Officer
[Reads] Hermione, queen to the worthy Leontes, king of Sicilia, thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason, in committing adultery with Polixenes, king of Bohemia, and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king, thy royal husband: the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open, thou, Hermione, contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject, didst counsel and aid them, for their better safety, to fly away by night.
HERMIONE
Since what I am to say must be but that
Which contradicts my accusation and
The testimony on my part no other
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me
To say ‘not guilty:’ mine integrity
Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,
Be so received. But thus: if powers divine
Behold our human actions, as they do,
I doubt not then but innocence shall make
False accusation blush and tyranny
Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,
Who least will seem to do so, my past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy; which is more
Than history can pattern, though devised
And play’d to take spectators. For behold me
A fellow of the royal bed, which owe
A moiety of the throne a great king’s daughter,
The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing
To prate and talk for life and honour ‘fore
Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it
As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour,
‘Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes
Came to your court, how I was in your grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strain’d to appear thus: if one jot beyond
The bound of honour, or in act or will
That way inclining, harden’d be the hearts
Of all that hear me, and my near’st of kin
Cry fie upon my grave!
LEONTES
I ne’er heard yet
That any of these bolder vices wanted
Less impudence to gainsay what they did
Than to perform it first.
HERMIONE
That’s true enough;
Through ’tis a saying, sir, not due to me.
LEONTES
You will not own it.
HERMIONE
More than mistress of
Which comes to me in name of fault, I must not
At all acknowledge. For Polixenes,
With whom I am accused, I do confess
I loved him as in honour he required,
With such a kind of love as might become
A lady like me, with a love even such,
So and no other, as yourself commanded:
Which not to have done I think had been in me
Both disobedience and ingratitude
To you and toward your friend, whose love had spoke,
Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely
That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy,
I know not how it tastes; though it be dish’d
For me to try how: all I know of it
Is that Camillo was an honest man;
And why he left your court, the gods themselves,
Wotting no more than I, are ignorant.
LEONTES
You knew of his departure, as you know
What you have underta’en to do in’s absence.
HERMIONE
Sir,
You speak a language that I understand not:
My life stands in the level of your dreams,
Which I’ll lay down.
LEONTES
Your actions are my dreams;
You had a bastard by Polixenes,
And I but dream’d it. As you were past all shame,–
Those of your fact are so–so past all truth:
Which to deny concerns more than avails; for as
Thy brat hath been cast out, like to itself,
No father owning it,–which is, indeed,
More criminal in thee than it,–so thou
Shalt feel our justice, in whose easiest passage
Look for no less than death.
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with, I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost, for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
(Starr’d most unluckily) is from my breast
(The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth)
Hal’d out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaim’d a strumpet, with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here, to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free: if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
First Lord
This your request
Is altogether just: therefore bring forth,
And in Apollos name, his oracle.
Exeunt certain Officers
HERMIONE
The Emperor of Russia was my father:
O that he were alive, and here beholding
His daughter’s trial! that he did but see
The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes
Of pity, not revenge!
Re-enter Officers, with CLEOMENES and DION
Definitions
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!
Translation
Oxford | 1996
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats.
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity;
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy,
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr’d, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr’d most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder; myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet; with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which ‘longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i’ th’ open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die! Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this–mistake me not: no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free–if I shall be condemn’d
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
‘Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the Oracle.
Apollo be my judge!